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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Destructive teenage dog - please give me some hope!

12 replies

spottydottygal · 23/07/2022 15:54

Hello, it appears my lovely puppy has turned into a teenager over night!! We've had her since she was five months and she is now just over eleven months. She's a romanian rescue and has been absolutely amazing in all ways up to this point. Then about two weeks ago I put her to bed in the kitchen and she seemed uncharacteristically unsettled. The next morning we came down to pictures knocked off wall, a small chunk out of sofa and various other destroyed bits and pieces. Over the course of next few days she had more episodes of destruction a couple of times over night and once when we left her for a couple of hours. So we have now bought a crate which she seems to like although we haven't actually shut the door on it yet, we are working on this though. We've removed anything she could destroy in our (very open plan) kitchen. We're doing our best. Please give me stories of hope that this will get better.

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Ivedonethisthreetimealready · 23/07/2022 16:20

Sounds more like separation anxiety or separation distress rather than teenage behaviour. Worth getting in a behaviourist to have a chat. Hopefully the rescue should be able to give you info to a behaviourist they use.

spottydottygal · 23/07/2022 16:34

Thank you Ivedonethis - yes separation anxiety def a possibility. We have behviourist coming on Tuesday to help! I did outline everything to them via message and they seemed to think it was classic teenage behaviour. She hasn't displayed separation anxiety before this although I guess they can develop it...

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sunsetsandsandybeaches · 23/07/2022 18:34

It doesn't sound like typical teenage behaviour to me either, more like anxiety of some description.

Do you know what caused her to be unsettled on that first night she was destructive?

spottydottygal · 23/07/2022 20:12

Hey Sunsets, she's never displayed any anxious behaviour before which is why it's so strange. I understand that the hormonal changes in adolesence can affect them just like in humans. Interestingly the first night of destructive behaviour began during the heatwave and there was also a full moon! Not sure if this is relevant!

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Fafafafabetter · 23/07/2022 20:14

I feel your pain.

My 8 month old pup broke into the shoe cupboard and chewed DHs brand new Doc martens.

She steals everything and is like a mountain goat for climbing. Nothinh is safe.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 23/07/2022 20:16

It could be that she's going through her secondary fear period and something just happened to spook her before bed, leading to her being really unsettled. She could also be coming into season as they can lead to behavioural changes too.

I would probably recommend a vet check to make sure all is okay health wise 😊

spottydottygal · 24/07/2022 08:33

Fafaf, isn't it so tedious!? Shoes, speakers, cushions, pictures...her trail of destruction is endless! Really trying to maintain my sense of humour! Also I'm trying to put a positive spin on it and re-frame it as decluttering!😆

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spottydottygal · 24/07/2022 08:35

Cheers Sunsets, just googled 'secondary fear period' and seems like that might be a factor. It's hard work innit this puppy lark! I'll keep an eye on her too and maybe pop to the vet. Thanks for your advice😊x

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spottydottygal · 24/07/2022 08:37

Also meant to add that she's already had her first season so don't think it's that. She's booked in to be spayed in about four weeks.

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sunsetsandsandybeaches · 24/07/2022 13:31

spottydottygal · 24/07/2022 08:35

Cheers Sunsets, just googled 'secondary fear period' and seems like that might be a factor. It's hard work innit this puppy lark! I'll keep an eye on her too and maybe pop to the vet. Thanks for your advice😊x

No problem, best of luck with her!

She'll calm down eventually and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about!

Ivedonethisthreetimealready · 24/07/2022 20:00

Has the behaviour change happened after her season?

How long ago was her season?

spottydottygal · 25/07/2022 21:57

Hi I'vdonethis, so she had her season in April (aged about eight months) and this behaviour started about two weeks ago. Any ideas?

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